Editor
Imphal, Manipur - Tensions continue to rise in Manipur as fresh violence erupted on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic death of an individual in the Thamnapokpi foothills of Bishnupur district. According to local reports, the victim, identified as Toijam Chandramani Singh from Churachandpur's Thengra Leirak, was fatally shot by militants during an early morning attack. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries en route to an Imphal hospital.
In a separate incident that unfolded later that day, the residence of state public works department minister Govindas Konthoujam was ransacked and vandalized in Bishnupur district. An angry mob stormed the minister's house in Ningthoukhong town, although neither the minister nor any family members were present at the time of the incident. Govindas Konthoujam, a sitting BJP MLA from Bishnupur, expressed shock and condemnation over the attack.
As a consequence of the escalating violence, an indefinite curfew has been imposed once again in Bishnupur district, while the curfew-free period in Imphal West district has been reduced by four hours, as reported by The Times of India.
Kuldiep Singh, the former CRPF DG appointed as an advisor to Manipur's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh following the recent ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis, stated that the latest bout of violence originated on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. Three houses in the Tronglaobi area of Bishnupur district were set ablaze, which subsequently led to the torching of more houses belonging to both communities. Singh emphasized that militants fired upon a group of people in the Tronglaobi area, resulting in the fatality. Another individual from the Meitei community was injured in Singda, Imphal West, near the border with Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district, during an attack carried out by suspected militants.
The ongoing violent clashes, which first erupted on May 3, have already claimed over 70 lives, injured around 200 individuals, and displaced close to 40,000 residents. The tensions stem from the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status, a demand supported by the Gauhati High Court. However, hill tribes in Manipur argue that granting the majority Meitei community ST status would adversely affect their access to employment and education. The state is also grappling with rising prices of essential commodities, further exacerbating the situation.
Hindustan Times reports a significant deployment of security personnel in Manipur, with approximately 10,000 army and Assam Rifles personnel and 7,000 CRPF and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel currently stationed in the region.
In an effort to promote peace and reconciliation, scholars from both the Meitei and Kuki communities convened a meeting at Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh's residence in Delhi on Wednesday. Lorho S. Pfoze, the only other MP from Manipur, was also present at the gathering. According to NDTV, representatives discussed strategies to restore harmony, emphasizing their shared history, culture, and civilization.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a tribal organization in Manipur, penned a letter to Kuldiep Singh expressing their inability to coexist with the dominant Meiteis any longer. The ITLF highlighted the partition-like separation between the hill and valley communities, with tribals retreating to tribal areas and Meiteis relocating to Imphal. The letter also documented the incidents